HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2261

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to housing authorities.

Brief Description: Concerning housing authorities.

Sponsors: Representatives MacEwen, Santos, Young and Griffey.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs: 1/11/18, 1/16/18 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/1/18, 91-3.

Passed Senate: 3/2/18, 47-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows a ''state public body'' to provide monetary, in-kind, or other support to the board of commissioners of a housing authority to carry out the board's duties or powers, but not for the purpose of compensating the commissioners for their service.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Ryu, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; McCabe, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Jenkin, Reeves and Sawyer.

Staff: Travis Yonker (786-7383).

Background:

When a city or county adopts a resolution declaring a need for a housing authority, a board of commissioners is appointed. The powers of a housing authority are vested in the board of commissioners. Commissioners are not paid for their services.

Any ''state public body'' may, within the area in which it is authorized to act, cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of housing projects. Some specific examples of the type of cooperation a state public body may provide include the following:

causing services to be furnished to the housing authority;
purchasing bonds of a housing authority; and
doing any and all things necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of such housing projects.

A ''state public body'' includes the state and any city, town, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, or other subdivision or public body within the state.

Summary of Bill:

A state public body may provide monetary, in-kind, or other support specifically to a board of commissioners of a housing authority to aid such board in carrying out the board's duties or powers. However, a state public body may not provide such support in the form of compensation to commissioners for their services on a board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This takes care of an ambiguity in law regarding whether counties have authority to support housing authorities.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative MacEwen, prime sponsor; and Kathryn Haigh, Mason County Housing Authority

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.